JP2013132000A - Television receiver and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To flexibly make viewing reservations of a plurality of programs with overlapping broadcasting times depending on a situation.SOLUTION: A television receiver with a viewing reservation function in which a plurality of programs are preselected by a user, and channel selection operations of television broadcasting corresponding to the plurality of programs are reserved in advance by the user comprises a control unit that executes: an operation for determining whether two programs with overlapping broadcasting time slots are present among the plurality of selected programs, and when two programs with overlapping broadcasting time slots are present, allowing the user to set priorities between the two programs; and an operation for selecting and receiving television broadcasting of the program with the higher priority out of the two programs in a time slot in which both of the two programs are broadcasted.

Description

  The present invention relates to a television receiver with a viewing reservation function that can reserve a program to be viewed in advance and a control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is a known television receiver with a viewing reservation function that can reserve a program to be viewed in advance when a television broadcast program is viewed on the television receiver. In particular, in recent years, the television broadcasting system has shifted from the conventional analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting. Therefore, the program guide is displayed on the display of the television receiver based on the electronic program guide (EPG) information, and the desired information in the program guide This viewing reservation is made particularly easy by the viewer selecting the program. By making the viewing reservation in advance, it is not necessary for the viewer to perform an operation such as switching channels according to time.

  Also, it is generally widely practiced not to view a broadcast program in real time, but to record it and then play it back for viewing. The method for making a recording reservation is the same as this viewing reservation. . In such a case, Patent Document 1 describes a technique capable of automatically selecting and recording a plurality of programs broadcast at the same time. In this technique, priorities are given to a plurality of reserved programs, and programs having a higher priority are selected and recorded according to the situation. This situation is, for example, the reception situation of radio waves for television broadcasting, the change situation of the start time of a reserved program, or the like. For this reason, when it is determined that, for example, the reception (recording) of the first desired program is not performed well among a plurality of desired programs, the second desired program is automatically recorded instead. . According to this technology, for example, when a desired program is not broadcast or cannot be received for some reason, the program after the second desired can be automatically recorded.

  It is clear that this recording reservation method can be similarly applied to viewing reservation. That is, if a viewing reservation is made in the same manner, the viewer can automatically view a program that has been appropriately selected.

JP 2010-239374 A

  However, even in such a case, the number of programs that can be viewed in the same time zone is one, and a plurality of programs with overlapping broadcast times cannot be viewed together. This does not depend on the length of this overlapping broadcast time. For example, even if there are two-hour programs by two different broadcast stations, and the overlapping broadcast time in these programs is only 1 minute of the two hours, only one of these can be viewed. Only program.

  For this reason, it has been difficult to flexibly make viewing reservations for a plurality of programs with overlapping broadcast times depending on the situation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an invention that solves the above problems.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations.
The television receiver of the present invention has a viewing reservation function in which a plurality of programs to be broadcast on television are selected in advance by the user, and a channel selection operation of the television broadcast corresponding to the plurality of programs is reserved in advance by the user. A television receiver that determines whether there are two programs with overlapping broadcast times in the selected plurality of programs, and there are two programs with overlapping broadcast times In this case, an operation for causing the user to set the priority order of the two programs, and television broadcasting of the program with the higher priority order among the two programs in a time zone in which the two programs are broadcast together. And a control unit that performs the operation of selecting and receiving the image.
In the television receiver according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit, when the other program is broadcast within the broadcast time of one of the two programs, the one program based on the priority order. The operation of switching the television broadcast received within the broadcast time is performed.
In the television receiver of the present invention, the control unit displays a program guide based on electronic program guide (EPG) information, and selects a plurality of programs and selects a program from the program guide to a user. It is characterized by making it carry out.
In the television receiver of the present invention, the control unit determines that the broadcast time is extended when there is a program that may extend the broadcast time in the selected plurality of programs. It is characterized by determining whether a broadcast time zone overlaps about a program.
The television receiver according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image of the program and an image used for setting the priority.
According to the control method of the television receiver of the present invention, a plurality of programs to be broadcast on television are selected in advance by the user, and a channel selection operation of the television broadcast corresponding to the plurality of programs is reserved in advance by the user. A control method for a television receiver with a viewing reservation function, wherein a viewing program selection step for allowing a user to select a plurality of programs desired to be watched, and broadcasting among a plurality of programs selected in the viewing program selection step And a duplication determination step for finding two programs with overlapping time zones, and a priority setting step for allowing a user to set the priority of each of the two programs with overlapping broadcasting time zones. .
In the television receiver control method according to the present invention, in the viewing program selection step, a program guide based on electronic program guide (EPG) information is displayed, and the program is selected by the user in the program guide. The program is selected.
In the method for controlling a television receiver according to the present invention, in the overlap determination step, for a program whose broadcast time may be extended, it is determined that the broadcast time is extended for the program, assuming that the broadcast time is extended. It is characterized by performing.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to flexibly make viewing reservations for a plurality of programs having overlapping broadcast times according to the situation.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the television receiver used as embodiment of this invention. It is the 1st example of the concrete situation of viewing in the television receiver used as an embodiment of the invention. It is a 2nd example of the specific situation of viewing in the television receiver used as embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd example of the specific situation of viewing in the television receiver used as embodiment of this invention. It is a 4th example of the specific situation of viewing in the television receiver used as embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart at the time of making a viewing reservation in the control method of the television receiver according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, a television receiver and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. This television receiver is a television receiver with a viewing reservation function, and selects and receives radio waves for television broadcasting that automatically broadcasts this program at the broadcast time of the program desired to be viewed. . Thereby, after the reservation, the viewer can view the program without performing the channel selection operation.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the television receiver 10. The entire television receiver 10 is controlled by a control unit (CPU) 11. The control unit 11 controls the broadcast receiving unit 12 to select and receive television broadcast radio waves, demodulate the image signal and the audio signal, and cause the display unit 13 to output them. In the display unit 13, the image signal is displayed on, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the audio signal is output from a speaker. In addition, operations such as channel selection (channel selection) are usually performed by a light receiving unit (not shown) that receives a control infrared signal transmitted by a user (viewer) controlling a remote control transmitter. The control content is transmitted to the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 controls the broadcast receiving unit 12.

  However, in the television receiver 10, a viewer can make a viewing reservation. When a program desired to be viewed is reserved, electronic program guide (EPG) information obtained along with a television broadcast signal is used. That is, the control unit 11 performs an operation of displaying a viewable program table on the display unit 13 based on the EPG information. The user can make a viewing reservation by selecting a desired program from the program guide. This operation can also be performed using, for example, a remote control transmitter. In addition, information related to viewing reservation is stored in the storage unit 14 configured by a nonvolatile memory.

  Here, it is assumed that the broadcast receiving unit 12 has one tuner. For this reason, the television receiver 10 can output on the display unit 13 at a certain time, that is, one program can be viewed at a certain time. However, when it is desired to view a plurality of programs with overlapping broadcast times, the control unit 11 can appropriately select a program to be viewed by causing the broadcast receiving unit 12 to perform a channel selection operation as appropriate. This operation will be described below.

  At the time of viewing reservation on the television receiver 10, if there are two programs with overlapping broadcast times, one program is set as a basic program and the other program is set as an interrupt program. Is done. Of these, the interrupt program has the highest priority. For this reason, in a time zone where the basic program and the interrupt program overlap, even if the basic program is being broadcast, the basic program is not displayed (viewed) on the display unit 13, and the interrupt program is displayed. Is done. If the basic program is still being broadcast when the interrupted program ends, the basic program is displayed again. That is, while the viewing target is the basic program, it can be displayed in the form of an interrupt program inserted in the middle of the basic program. In this television receiver 10, viewing reservations are made in units of programs, but actual display is not necessarily made in units of programs, and is performed flexibly according to priority.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of viewing the program in this case will be described in terms of four examples.

  FIG. 2 shows a specific situation (first example) of viewing when both a program having a long broadcast time and a program having a short broadcast time are viewed. FIG. 2A shows the relationship between the programs A1, B1, C1, and D1 in the four broadcasting stations of channels A, B, C, and D in the program table when the time is between 7:00 and 9:00. Here, program A1 is a variety information program broadcast on CH-A (A station) from 7:00 to 9:00, and program B1 is broadcast on CH-B (B station) from 8:00 to 8:15. Drama, program C1 is broadcast on CH-C (C station) from 8:30 to 8:50, program D1 is broadcast on CH-D (D station) from 7:30 to 9:00 Variety It is a program. Of these, it is assumed that the user does not desire to view D1, but desires to view A1, B1, and C1. As shown in the figure, A1 and B1 overlap in the entire broadcasting time zone of B1, and A1 and C1 overlap in the entire broadcasting time zone of C1. In each of these time zones, only one program can be viewed.

  For this reason, when there are two programs with overlapping broadcast times in a plurality of programs reserved for viewing, the control unit 11 provides the user with one as a basic program and the other as an interrupt program. Let it be set. Here, it is assumed that program A1 is a basic program and B1 and C1 are interrupt programs.

  In this case, program information (viewing pattern) displayed (viewable) on the display unit 13 is as shown in FIG. Here, programs to be viewed are displayed for each time. That is, first, A1 is displayed on the display unit 13 at 7:00 to 8:00 when only the basic program A1 is broadcast. Next, at 8:00 to 8:15 where A1 and B1 are broadcasted in duplicate, B1, which is an interrupt program, is displayed. Next, in 8:15 to 8:30 where only A1 is broadcast, A1 is displayed again. Next, C1 which is an interruption program is displayed in 8:30 to 8:50 in which A1 and C1 are broadcast in an overlapping manner. Finally, A8 is displayed again from 8:50 to 9:00 when only A1 is broadcast. In this way, display is performed in such a manner that the short-time programs B1 and C1 (interrupt program) are inserted into the long-term program A1 (basic program).

  In this case, the basic program A1 is displayed in the time zone when the interrupt program is not broadcast, but B1 and C1 are displayed instead of A1 in the time zone where the interrupt programs B1 and C1 are broadcast. When the broadcast of the interrupt program ends, the basic program A1 is displayed again. The control unit 11 controls the broadcast receiving unit 12 to automatically control channel switching in this way. Therefore, it is not necessary for the viewer to switch channels during this period.

  In general, in a variety information program (A1) having a long broadcast time, viewers often desire to view only a specific corner. On the other hand, for a series drama (B1) and news (C1), the broadcast time is short, but there are many cases where it is desired to watch all of them. In such a case, by using the viewing pattern as shown in FIG. 2B, it is possible to view all the scenes that the viewer desires to view using one tuner.

  In the example of FIG. 2, a long-time program among a plurality of programs reserved for viewing is set as a basic program, and a short-time program is set as an interrupt program. In such a case, as described above, it is particularly effective to execute the viewing pattern described above in which the interrupt program is inserted into the basic program. On the other hand, in such a case, in the conventional technique in which viewing and recording can always be performed only in units of programs, it is impossible to view B1 and C1 when A1 is reserved for viewing.

  FIG. 3 shows a specific situation (second example) of viewing in a case different from FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the base station A broadcasts a baseball broadcast A2 at 7:00 to 9:00. However, depending on the game situation, the broadcast end time may be extended to a maximum of 11:30. On the other hand, the B station broadcasts the movie B2 from 9:00 to 11:00. The broadcast times of A2 and B2 overlap at least between 9:00 and 10:00. A viewing pattern when both the programs A2 and B2 are desired to be viewed will be described below.

In such a case, what kind of viewing pattern is set is set according to the preference of the viewer. here,
(1) I want to watch B2 (movie) preferentially. I want to watch A2 (baseball broadcast) from the start of the broadcast, but I want to watch B2 until the end of the broadcast of B2 (movie). However, if A2 is extended and A2 is still being broadcast at the end of the broadcast of B2, I want to see A2 again.
(2) I want to watch A2 (baseball) preferentially. Obviously A2 is watched until the start of B2 broadcast, but I want to watch A2 for a long time even after B2 broadcast starts. B2 (movie) may be viewed only when A2 broadcast ends at or near the scheduled time and B2 is still broadcast.
There are two types of preferences.

  In order to respond to the request (1), A2 may be set as a basic program and B2 as an interrupt program. In this case, the viewing pattern when A2 is not extended (or when it is extended but completed by 11:00) is viewing pattern 1 (FIG. 3B). In this setting, the viewing pattern when A2 is extended to 11:30 is viewing pattern 2 (FIG. 3C). In these cases, both B2 can be viewed without loss, and A2 can be viewed in a time zone that does not overlap with B2, and it is clear that the above requirement (1) is satisfied.

  In order to respond to the request (2), B2 may be set as a basic program and A2 as an interrupt program. In this case, the viewing pattern when A2 is not extended is viewing pattern 3 (FIG. 3 (d)), and the viewing pattern when A2 is extended to 10:30 is viewing pattern 4 (FIG. 3 (e)). )). The viewing pattern when A2 is extended to the maximum of 11:30 is viewing pattern 5 (FIG. 3 (f)). In the viewing pattern 5, B2 cannot be viewed at all, but it is clear that the requirement (2) is satisfied in any of the viewing patterns 3 to 5.

  On the other hand, in such a case, it is difficult to realize other than the viewing pattern 5 in the conventional technology in which viewing (recording) reservation can always be made only in units of programs. In particular, a viewing pattern in which B2 is inserted into A2 as in viewing pattern 2 cannot be realized. For this reason, the request (1) cannot be sufficiently met.

  Further, in the same program structure as FIG. 3, the case where the start time of the baseball relay A3 is later than the start time of the movie B3 (third example) is also shown in FIG. In this case, FIG. 4B shows a viewing pattern when A3 is set as a basic program and B3 is set as an interrupt program in response to the request (1), and A3 is extended. In this viewing pattern, all of B3 and an extension of A3 can be viewed. On the other hand, in such a case, in the conventional technique in which the viewing reservation can always be made only in units of programs, it is impossible to view A3 regardless of whether A3 is extended or not when making a viewing reservation for B3.

  In the above example, one program is set as a basic program, and another program with an overlap in the broadcast time zone is set as an interrupt program. However, even if the same program is set, the setting may be changed according to the combination. it can. That is, when the first program and the second program overlap and the first program and the third program overlap in different time zones, the first program is basically used for the second program. It is also possible to set a program (second program as an interrupt program) and set the first program as an interrupt program (the third program as a basic program) for the third program.

  FIG. 5 is a specific example (fourth example) in such a case. In the example of FIG. 5A, unlike the case of FIG. 2A, the broadcast start time of C4 is immediately before the broadcast end time of A4, and C4 is still broadcast even after the broadcast of A4 ends. To do. On the other hand, the relationship between A4 and B4 is the same as A1 and B1 in the case of FIG. In this case, it is assumed that the viewer desires to view C4, but that the viewing is desired after the end of the A4 broadcast. On the other hand, as in the case of FIG. 2, it is assumed that, even when A4 is being broadcast, it is desired to watch B4 instead of A4 while B4 is being broadcast.

  In such a case, in the relationship between A4 and B4, A4 is a basic program and B4 is an interrupt program. On the other hand, in the relationship between A4 and C4, A4 is an interrupt program and C4 is a basic program. That is, A4 is a basic program in relation to B4, but is an interrupt program in relation to C4. FIG. 5B shows a viewing pattern realized by this setting. With this setting, the viewing pattern desired by the viewer can be realized. In such a case, in the conventional technology that can always make a viewing reservation only in units of programs, it is impossible to view B4 and C4 when making a viewing reservation for A4, as in FIG. is there.

  Thus, with the above configuration, the television receiver 10 can flexibly make viewing reservations for two programs with overlapping broadcast times according to the situation.

  In the above example, as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when an interrupted program is canceled for some reason, for example, the channel selection is stopped and the basic program is selected instead. It can also be made.

  Next, an operation when the user actually makes a viewing reservation in the television receiver 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of control when the viewing reservation is executed in the television receiver 10. In this case, the user can actually confirm the viewing pattern set as described above, and thereby the basic program and the interrupt program can be set.

  First, the control unit 11 displays the program table on the display unit 13 using the EPG information, and allows the viewer to select all of the programs to be reserved for viewing (viewed program selection step: S1). This designation can be made in the program guide by the viewer using, for example, a cross key in a remote control transmitter.

  When selection of all the programs desired to be viewed is completed, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a combination in which the broadcast time zones overlap between the selected programs (overlap determination step: S2). Here, the control unit 11 finds all combinations in which the broadcast time zones overlap, and recognizes in which time zone they overlap. At this time, for example, as shown in the program A2 (baseball broadcast) in FIG. 3, there is a possibility that the broadcast may be extended, and a combination that may overlap when it is extended can be recognized as this combination. In this case, the program can be handled as having the longest time extended. If there is no combination with overlapping broadcast time zones, the process is terminated (S10).

  When there is a combination with overlapping broadcast time zones, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display information related to the program, such as a program name that is a target of the combination (overlapping program display step: S3).

  Next, the control unit 11 causes the viewer to determine whether or not to make a reservation again so as to eliminate the duplication displayed here (S4). If the viewer desires to eliminate duplication, the viewing program selection step (S1) is executed again.

  When the overlap is not eliminated (S4), the control unit 11 causes the user to set a basic program and an interrupt program for the program being combined (priority setting step: S5). This setting can also be performed by the user using the remote control transmitter by looking at the screen of the display unit 13. At this time, as shown in the example of FIG. 2, when the broadcast time of one program is long and the broadcast time of another program is included in the broadcast time of this program, the program having the long broadcast time is designated as the basic program, Another program can be set as an interrupt program by default. Further, when there are a plurality of combinations with overlapping broadcast time zones as in the example of FIG. 5, this setting can be performed for each combination.

  Next, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display a viewing pattern (for example, FIG. 2B) obtained by this setting (viewing pattern display step: S6). The viewer can recognize whether or not the settings of the basic program and the interrupt program are appropriate by watching this. If there is a program that may be extended among the programs reserved for viewing, the viewing pattern when it is extended can also be displayed.

  When the viewer determines that the displayed viewing pattern is not appropriate (S7), the priority order setting step (S5) can be performed again. If it is determined that the viewing pattern is appropriate, the control unit 11 stores the set information in the storage unit 14, and the process ends (S10).

  Thereafter, the control unit 11 controls the broadcast receiving unit 12 according to the time based on this information stored in the storage unit 14, causes the broadcast receiving unit 12 to perform a channel selection operation according to the viewing pattern, and displays image signals and the like. The unit 13 outputs the data. Thus, the viewer can view the program according to the reserved viewing pattern.

  Here, when the viewer selects a program, a channel (broadcast station), a viewing start time, and a viewing end time can be set instead of selecting the program in the program guide. In this case, it is easy for the viewer to recognize the duplication of the program, and the viewing pattern shown in FIG. 2 can be realized by appropriately setting the channel, the viewing start time, and the viewing end time. is there. However, in this case, this setting can be performed corresponding to the channel switching time (in FIG. 2, 7:00, 8:00, 8:15, 8:30, 8:50, 9:00). Necessary. On the other hand, according to the above control method, the viewing pattern can be set only by selecting the program (A1, B1, C1) to be reserved for viewing and setting the basic program and the interrupt program. At this time, since the above-described control method does not require time-consuming setting, the viewing pattern can be set only by a simple operation. Also, as shown in the example of FIG. 3, when there is a program whose broadcast end time is indefinite, it may be difficult to set such a time. Also, channel switching is performed as appropriate.

  In the above example, it is assumed that the number of programs having the same broadcast time zone at the same time is two. On the other hand, broadcasts of three or more programs may overlap at the same time. In such a case, in the priority order setting step (S4), in addition to the basic program and interrupt program settings described above, the interrupt program can be further divided into a plurality of stages, and priorities according to each stage can be given. However, in such a case, the possibility that a program with a low priority will be selected is very low, so that information is displayed in the duplicate program display step (S3), so that three or more programs do not overlap. The program selection step (S1) can be performed again.

  In the above description, the television receiver including the broadcast receiving unit and the display unit is described. However, although the broadcast receiving unit is included, the same effect can be obtained even when the display unit is separated. it is obvious. For this reason, here, such a configuration is also included in the television receiver.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Television receiver 11 Control part 12 Broadcast receiving part 13 Display part 14 Memory | storage part

Claims (8)

A television receiver with a viewing reservation function in which a plurality of programs to be broadcast on television are preselected by the user, and a channel selection operation of the television broadcasting corresponding to the plurality of programs is reserved in advance by the user,
In the plurality of selected programs, it is determined whether or not there are two programs with overlapping broadcast time zones, and when there are two programs with overlapping broadcast time zones, priority is given to the two programs. An action that causes the user to set the order;
An operation of selecting and receiving a television broadcast of the high priority program among the two programs in a time zone in which the two programs are broadcast together;
A television receiver comprising a control unit for performing the above. The controller is
When the other program is broadcast within the broadcast time of one of the two programs, an operation of switching the television broadcast received within the broadcast time of the one program based on the priority order. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the television receiver is performed. The controller is
2. A program guide based on electronic program guide (EPG) information is displayed, and the plurality of programs are selected by causing a user to select a program in the program guide. 2. The television receiver according to 2. The controller is
If there is a program that may extend the broadcast time among the selected programs, it is determined whether the broadcast time zone overlaps for the program, assuming that the broadcast time is extended. The television receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the television receiver is performed.   The television according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a display unit that displays an image of the program and an image used for setting the priority. Receiver. A control method of a television receiver with a viewing reservation function in which a plurality of programs to be broadcasted by a television are selected in advance by a user, and a channel selection operation of the television broadcast corresponding to the plurality of programs is reserved in advance by the user. There,
A viewing program selection step that allows the user to select a plurality of programs that the user wishes to view;
A duplication determination step of finding two programs having overlapping broadcast hours among a plurality of programs selected in the viewing program selection step;
A priority setting step for allowing the user to set the priority of each of the two programs having the same broadcast time period;
A control method for a television receiver, comprising: In the viewing program selection step,
7. The television according to claim 6, wherein a program guide based on electronic program guide (EPG) information is displayed, and the program is selected by allowing a user to select a program in the program guide. Control method of the receiver. In the duplication determination step,
The television receiver according to claim 6 or 7, wherein for a program having a possibility of extending the broadcasting time, it is determined that the broadcasting time is extended, and the overlapping of the broadcasting time zone is determined for the program. Control method.

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